Tensions at the India-Pakistan border rose on Friday night following a series of massive explosions that resonated through Jammu, purportedly after Indian air defence systems intercepted Pakistani drones during a region-wide blackout. The episode has added to public fear in the wake of this week’s fatal Pahalgam attack and the Indian Armed Forces’ immediate retaliatory response in Operation Sindoor.
Drone Incursion in Jammu During Blackout Increases Civilian Panic
According to videos posted by ANI, blasts were reported in Jammu when Indian troops encountered and disposed of aerial targets in the form of suspected Pakistani drones. According to the ANI tweet, the videos were “deferred by an unspecified time,” which might have been for operational security.
#WATCH | Explosions heard in Jammu as India’s air defence intercepts Pakistani drones amid blackout
(Visuals deferred by an unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/ewKZzNoJI9
— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2025
The drone intrusion is the latest in a series of mounting military provocations. The nation was rocked earlier this week by a terror strike in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where militants armed to the teeth fired on a group of Indian pilgrims, leaving several civilian and security personnel casualties. The strike is being attributed to Pakistan-sponsored groups, as per initial intelligence inputs.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Swift Military Response
India retaliated with Operation Sindoor, a multi-branch military operation, targeting terrorist training camps and suspected launchpads along the Line of Control. The operation, which commenced late Wednesday night, has resulted in the targeting and destruction of key targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Defence sources indicate that the aim was to destroy major terror infrastructure and send out a strong deterrent message.
Friday’s drone attack further establishes the employment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by Pakistani forces in reconnaissance and potentially arms delivery operations. Indian security forces, already in high alert, used advanced radar-based defence systems to counter the aerial threats over Jammu.
The blasts raised an alarm among border villages already suffering from fear due to prolonged ceasefire breaches. Locals complained of power cuts moments before the explosions, fuelling suspicion of possible tactical blackout or power line damage.
Restrictions on civilian movement were imposed late at night in sensitive areas, and emergency procedures were initiated across Jammu district. There have been no reports of injury or damage to infrastructure so far, although a full assessment is pending.
Although the Indian government has made no official comment, defence authorities confirmed that high-level surveillance was continuing and troops were prepared to respond to future threats. The country remains unified as military actions continue to fight aggression and safeguard the sovereignty of Indian soil.
